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Elimination of soluble boron for a new PWR (pressurized water reactor) design

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5620576
This report describes the results of a preliminary, limited-scope design study performed to assess the technical and economic feasibility of a commercial-sized, pressurized water reactor (PWR) which does not use soluble-boron for reactivity control. A soluble-boron-free PWR is being considered because it offers a number of potentially significant improvements to a PWR design. These include: (1) avoiding concerns with boric acid induced corrosion of pressure vessels, bolting and other critical components as a result of primary system leaks, (2) simplification of plant operation and maintenance through the elimination of deboration operations, (3) reduction of radioactive waste volumes and water processing requirements due to the elimination of deboration operations, and (4) maintaining a large negative moderator temperature coefficient at all times. The purpose of this study was to define and evaluate a conceptual core design in a limited-scope effort to determine whether more detailed evaluations of the soluble-boron-free PWR are warranted; it was not intended to identify a complete, optimized design for a soluble-boron-free PWR. As a result, technical feasibility was given first priority with economic optimization being a secondary concern. 13 refs., 11 figs., 10 tabs.
Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT (USA). Power Systems Group
Sponsoring Organization:
EPRI
OSTI ID:
5620576
Report Number(s):
EPRI-NP-6536
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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